Researchers from Leatherhead Food Research in Surrey, England, say that eating the right snack that gives a sense of satiety can help lose weight.
Most over-weight issues are caused due to over-eating, though lack of physical activity also plays an important part in it. Previously, it was believed that snacking between meals leads to weight gain. This belief was later replaced by the concept of dividing meals into six parts, three full-fledged meals and three snacks spread over the day. Researchers from Leatherhead Food Research in Surrey have now found that the type of snack one consumes plays an essential role in losing weight.
In a study conducted recently, researchers found that consuming the right type of snack that promotes a sense of satiety (fullness) can help a person lose weight as it reduces the consumption of food in subsequent meals. During the study, researchers noticed that participants who consumed almonds as a mid-morning snack felt an increased sense of fullness. As a result they consumed less food at lunch and dinner without increasing their daily calorie intake. Peanuts, nuts and other high-fiber snacks have the same effect.
"Appetite control is an area of weight management that is receiving increased attention as the food industry aims to provide consumers with foods that will keep them fuller for longer, reducing inter-meal hunger and overall energy intake," said Roberta Re, Ph.D., nutrition research manager at Leatherhead Food Research, in a press release.
"You can make something just as delicious with a greater mixture of ingredients," said Kantha Shelke, Ph.D., principal at Corvus Blue, LLC. "You also can increase quantity while limiting energy density. The satiety lasts longer, and there's no penalty for enjoyment."
